In this thought-provoking Podcast episode, hosted by Ben Wakeling, Rob Houlston, Structural Engineer and Shawn Galliers, Director of Sustainability, explores how structural engineering can play a pivotal role in the reuse of existing buildings, offering both sustainability and cost-efficiency benefits. Drawing parallels with other industries-like fashion, electronics, and automotives.
Retaining the structural frame of a building can save embodied carbon and costs compared to full demolition and rebuild. These savings are not just environmental- they’re economic. By approaching buildings from a lifecycle perspective, engineers can unlock value across carbon, material, energy, and cost.
Other industries reuse and repair things like clothes, gadgets and cars, so why not buildings?
Structural engineers are central to this shift. Their responsibilities span:
The new emphasis is that design is about accommodating change, not compromising vision. This mindset is key when adapting buildings for new uses-whether increasing floor space, changing function, or meeting heritage planning requirements.
Historically, buildings were overdesigned due to limited analysis tools-relying on calculators and rules of thumb. Today, engineers must revisit assumptions and ask:
Real-world examples, like masonry walls that defy conventional calculations, highlight the need for a deeper understanding of materials in practice.
Traditionally, success in construction was measured by time and cost. But as society shifts toward electric vehicles, renewable energy, and organic food, the pressure is on architects and engineers to lead the way in sustainable transformation.
🎧 Listen Now!
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable development, adaptive reuse, and the evolving role of structural engineers in shaping a low-carbon future.
Stay tuned for future podcast episodes!
Explore how structural and building services design overlap across RIBA stages, why coordination matters, and how our integrated approach improves building engineering outcomes.
The UK’s housing delivery challenge is well-documented. Yet amid the national conversation about planning reform, infrastructure, and build-out rates, one group consistently punches above its weight: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) housebuilders. SMEs are a vital part of the solution, but they face very real and persistent hurdles development strategies.
At Brookbanks, we know EV charging becomes far more manageable when it’s approached as part of a wider development picture rather than an isolated task. Rising regulatory demands, limited capacity, cost pressures and the realities of underground or enclosed parking all interact in ways that can affect programme, viability and long‑term performance. This article looks at the recurring challenges we see across residential, commercial and mixed‑use projects and the practical steps that help developments meet Part S requirements, manage grid limitations, integrate load‑balancing and smart‑charging systems, and plan for solar PV and battery storage. The aim is to provide clear, grounded insight that helps teams design EV strategies that genuinely stand up to modern development demands.